Apparatus



4 SheetsSheet 1.

(No Model.)

J H SIMPSON AXLE FORGING APPARATUS.

Patented Jan; 15, 1895.

INVENTOR wn'usssss 4 Shets-8heet 2,

J-. H. SIMPSON. AXLE FORGING APPARATUS.

(No Model.)

No. 532,488. Patented Jan. 15, 1895.

INVENTOR WITNESSES 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 (No Model.)

JA SIMPSON. AXLE FORGING APPARATUS.

No. 532,488. Patented Jan. 15, 189 5 WITNESS ES' (No Model.) I I 4 Sheets-Shee1; 4. J. H. SIMPSO AXLE PORGING APPA A Jan. 15, 1895 I No. 532,488.

' NITED {STATES PATENT" OFFI E.

JAMES H. SIMPSON, OF PITTSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO THE CARNEGIE STEEL COMPANY, LIMITED, OF SAME PLACE.

AXLE-FORGIANG APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 532,488, dated January 15, 1895.

' Application filed April 7, 1894- Serial No. 506.703- (No model.)

To [0% whom it may concern: 7

Be it known that I, JAMES H. SIMPSON, of Pittsburg, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a newand useful Improvementin Axle-Forging Apparatus, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, in which' Figure 1 is an end elevation of aforging press provided with my improved axle dies, said dies being shown in closed position. Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the dies open. Fig. 3 is a side elevatiompartly in vertical section on the line III-III of Fig. 1, showing the dies for finishing the middle portion of the axle. Fig. 3 is an end elevation of the centering die. Fig. 4 is a side elevation, partly in section on the line IV-IV of Fig. 2, showing the dies for finishing the ends of the axles. Fig. 5 is an end elevation showing on a larger scale the dies for finishing the middle of the axle, said dies being in closed position. Fig. 6 is' a similar view, showing the dies open.

In the. manufacture of axles by my apparatus, I prefer to use two sets of dies, one set forming the middle part of the axle and the other set forming the end portions orjournals and wheel-seats. These dies operate laterally upon the blank and are actuated by strong pressure, preferably by pressure exerted by one or more hydraulic cylinders. As both sets of dies are and may be substantially the same in general appearance in end elevation, Figs. 1, 2, 5 and 6 will sufficiently illustrate the construction of both.

2 represents the ram which carries the moving dies and which is actuated by a suitable hydraulic cylinder, not shown.

4 is the moving die fixed to the end of the ram. The lower die on which the blank to be forged is laid, is made of two laterally movable parts 5, 6, which, when in closed position as shown in Fig. 1, fit neatly. together and afford a single die-cavity, and which, when in open position as in Fig. 2, are somewhat separated laterally from each other so drop. These die-sections are caused to approach and recede automatically by action paratus, said ram being provided with wedgeshaped projecting arms 7, which engage with the die-sections 5, 6, and act thereon so that as the ram descends to bring the moving die into contact with the blank, these arms, shall move the die sections toward and against each other, and that when the ram ascends the arms shall separate the die sections.

The dies for forging the middle part of the axle are formed as shown in Fig. 3, so that conjointly the upper and lower dies shall present a cavity of the shape desired to be given to that part of the axle, but they extend preferably only for such part of the length of the blank as will suffice to engage the middle portion. For the purpose of centering the forging and holding it straight within these dies, I prefer to set at the position of the end of the blank centering-holders 9 having an angular cavity.

The dies for forming the end portions or journals of the axle are formed with their cavities of proper shape to suit the shape of said end portions, and are of suitable length to make the journals, thereby enabling the completion of the axle in two operations.

4 For the purpose of turning the axle blank within the dies so as to subject it alternately to successive pressures exerted at right angles the blank will impart to the latter a partial turn within the dies, and on the descent of the ram the jaws will slip loosely over the blank without turning it.

In operation of the apparatus, the blank, having been properly heated, is laid upon the lower die of the pair of dies used for shaping the middle portion of the axle. The ram is then caused to descend, thus bringing the lower die sections into conjunction and pressing upon the blank. On the ascent of the ram, the upper die is raised, the lower die sections are opened somewhat so as to free them from scale which may have dropped from the blank, and the blank is given sufficient turn to bring the finned portion of the blank opposite to the smooth portions of the dies. This operation may then be repeated for a sulficient number of times to shape the middle part of the blank properly, and when it is finished the blank is removed to the journal-shaping dies and is there subjected to similar treatment in the same manner.

The dies can be used for making articles other than axles. Generally they may be employed in the manufacture of forgings having round cross sections, such, for example, as wrist-pins, round-shafts, 6'50.

The advantages of my invention will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. The dies are simple in construction, they perform their work with great efficiency, and reduce greatly the cost of manufacture of axles, and as the dies for forging the middle and end portions of the axle may be used simultaneously with different blanks, the manufacture may be carried on very rapidly.

Instead of the hydraulic cylinders which I have mentioned for actuating the dies, other motive power may be employed, and, it de- 5a2,4ee

sired, the dies may be caused to act horizontally instead of vertically.

Without limiting myself strictly to the described arrangement and construction of the parts, which may be varied by the skilled mechanic, what I claim is 1. In forging apparatus, the combination with the dies between which the blank is formed, of a pair of tongs arranged to intermittently seize and turn the blank and actuated by the moving die; substantially as described.

2. In forging apparatus, the combination of dies adapted to engage and shape the blank, mechanism for moving one of the dies toward the other, and turning tongs actuated by the moving die and arranged to seize the blank and turn it as the said die moves away from the other die; substantially as described.

3. In apparatus for forging axles, the combination of dies adapted to engage and shape the middle portion of the blank, and two part centering holders for holding the end or ends of the blank during the forging process, one part of the holder being operated by the movable die; substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

JAMES ll. SIMPSON.

\Vitnesses:

' W. B. CoRWIN,

II. M. Conwm. 

